killer T cell

noun

variants or less commonly killer T lymphocyte
plural killer T cells also killer T lymphocytes
: cytotoxic t cell
The antigen receptors of killer T cells allow them to recognize the viral peptides, which signal that a cell must be destroyed as unhealthy.Harald von Boehmer et al.
A subset of lymphocytes known as killer T cells may also respond to the envelope protein by destroying infected cells.William A. Haseltine et al.

Examples of killer T cell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Something about this shape made the HLA-HIV combination on infected cells in elite controllers extraordinarily good for being seen by killer T cells, which then destroyed the infected cell. Bruce D. Walker, Scientific American, 1 July 2012 In a recent study published in the journal Immunity, Wherry and colleagues found that in healthy people with no prior COVID-19 infection, helper T cells rose after the first dose and killer T cell counts rose after the second dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Miriam Fauzia, USA TODAY, 27 Sep. 2021 New research suggests that a malfunctioning member of the patient’s own immune system called a killer T cell may be one of the culprits. John Chang, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2020 Despite its numerous mutations, omicron can trigger a strong killer T cell response. Mitzi Nagarkatti, The Conversation, 27 Jan. 2022 One way to reverse killer T cell exhaustion is to block the PD-1 off switch, but this does not boost the immune system’s response to the virus. Bhrugu Yagnik, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2021 Even if a larger study confirmed that masturbating increases natural killer T cell levels, that alone doesn't say much. Mirel Zaman, refinery29.com, 23 Nov. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'killer T cell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of killer T cell was in 1971

Dictionary Entries Near killer T cell

Cite this Entry

“Killer T cell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/killer%20T%20cell. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

killer T cell

noun
: a T cell that binds to and destroys cells (as one infected by a virus) which display specific antigens on their surface

Medical Definition

killer T cell

noun
variants also killer T lymphocyte

More from Merriam-Webster on killer T cell

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!